December 24, 1833
Early in the morning as well as during the whole night, a very severe, cold northwest wind, stormlike. The sky slightly overcast.” The hoarfrost has all been blown off the trees. The Indian dogs are biting each other terribly this morning. They could not be separated. They fell upon each other again and again. Mató- Tópe came early. The big Mandan had his picture drawn. Many Indians pounded on our door, and one of them wanted to push it in, whereupon I complained to Kipp. The severe, very cold wind continued. At twelve o’clock, 22°F (−5.6°C). Somebody brought me another weasel, which I bought for one dollar.
Máhchsi-Karéhde (Flying War Eagle) had his picture drawn in the afternoon, too. He was in a hurry, because he had [sold] his eagle’s wing and his head adornment with the dance. Dreidoppel went to the blind but did not shoot. At four o’clock a troop of four men arrived together with Papin and seven horses from the post with the Yanktonais (from Mr. Picotte); Papin[, however, came] from the Little Missouri. They had left there the day before yesterday. Two hundred lodges of Yanktonais lived there. Mató-Tópe stayed in the evening and gave me [information] about the Arikaras. He slept in our room. There was a severe storm again during the night. At midnight the engagés fired off their guns to celebrate Christmas. About morning the shooting started for the second time.
